The sharpnose shiner and smalleye shiner live in the upper Brazos River watershed, an area extending from Crosby County in West Texas eastward into Young County. Drought, reservoirs, salt cedar invasion and other factors are shrinking their habitat.

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national conservation group, announced the effort Monday. The center first petitioned on behalf of the minnows in 2004. Fish and Wildlife must allow for public comment and submit the proposal for scientific review before the agency ultimately determines whether to protect the fish.